2013 Nissan 370Z

The sixth-generation Nissan Z has been with us for more than three years now, which means it's about time for a refresh. And that's exactly what Nissan has given the 2013 Nissan 370Z, which is making its world debut at the 2012 Chicago auto show.

Changes are most notable up front. Gone are the fangs that accented the lower air dam on the previous model, and in their place is blacked out rectangular design that makes for a cleaner, simpler look. That's not to say the tweaked front fascia is boring. New flair comes courtesy of vertical LED daytime running lamps positioned at the outer edge of the bumper, for a squarer, more masculine appearance. (The NISMO model doesn't get the LEDs.) The boomerang-style headlamps still remain, as do the character lines running up the hood.

On the side, you'll notice new red-painted brake calipers and 19-inch aluminum-alloy rims on Sport Package models. The base 2013 370Z coupe also gets new rims, with 18-inchers. Out back, a red reflector has been added to the center of the lower bumper, except on the Nismo model. Magma Red and Midnight Blue join the paint palette, though the latter isn't available on the Nismo Z. Rounding off the visual changes is new dark-finish fuel gauge trim.

Performance revisions are also minor. Z cars equipped with the Sport Package now come with Euro-tuned shock absorbers, while the 370Z Nismo gets added stopping power by adopting high-rigidity brake hoses and performance brake fluid from its bigger (and faster) GT-R cousin. A 2009 370Z Nismo needed 111 feet to stop from 60 to 0 mph during our 2009 Best Driver's Car competition, so it'll be interesting to see how the brake upgrades improve stopping distance.

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Nissan decided not to tinker under hood, so the 3.7-liter, VQ37VHR V-6 is still rated at 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque (350 hp and 276 lb-ft in the Nismo). The six-speed manual transmission is still standard, while a seven-speed auto is optional on all models except the Nismo. Pricing should be announced closer to June 2012, the Z's scheduled on-sale date.